CD Clamp Meter recommendations ?

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Boo2

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Hi,

Question as title :

I'm looking for recommendations for a good brand and model of DC Clamp Meter suitable for use on boat and engine electrics. I specifically need DC Volts and DC Amps if available at a reasonable price and will be using it for other electrical jobs so a good quality one (but not excessively expensive either) is in order if that circle can be squared.

Anyone using one they can wholeheartedly recommend ?

Thanks,

Boo2
 
Look on ebay using search term "LEM" or "HEME" or "current transducer" or "current probe." must be AC/DC of course

The type without a display that plug into a normal meter are very good but not quite as handy.

make sure the lowest range is at least as low as 200A and preferably less if you can find one. You will need a range of at least 300A to measure starter currents.

I totally recommend something of this type to any boat owner.
 
"
A decent clamp ammeter (e.g. Kewtech 2056R) is invaluable on board for tracking where the juice is going, and has AC and DC volts, continuity, and temperature as well. Worth considering. "

I bought one v cheap from fleabay for £85, new :)
 
I'm awaitng delivery of a Tecpel DCM-033 from heatmiser.co.uk. It cost 51.50 incl. delv.

Hopefully it will arrive early next week and I can tell you if it's any good.

bsw
 
I use a model I got at Jaycar its a Digitech qm-1562.
Its been reliable. Its not a high quality, like a Fluke but it is surprisingly accurate even at very low DC amps.
I think I could a sold it 50 times, to other cruisers, after they have seen it in action when I have used it to diagnose their electrical problems.
Unfortunately Jaycar dont seem to stock it anymore. The do have this model
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QM1563&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1060#1
That looks good. (The link is to the Australian order page, but they have a UK site)

Make sure whatever you get will read DC amps via the clamp. Some will only measure AC amps in the clamp, but will read DC amps if you connect the leads (so its working as a normal multimeter not a clamp on one). You need to read the specs carefully to pick the difference.
The ability to measure current without cutting the wire is its most important feature
(Also note any clamp on meter will not measure current if both the + and -wires are in the clamp. You need to put it over just the + or - wire not both)
 
savageseadog said:
Look on ebay using search term "LEM" or "HEME" or "current transducer" or "current probe." must be AC/DC of course

The type without a display that plug into a normal meter are very good but not quite as handy.

make sure the lowest range is at least as low as 200A and preferably less if you can find one. You will need a range of at least 300A to measure starter currents.

I totally recommend something of this type to any boat owner.
Click to expand...

People rave about these so they must be good. But what do you use it for? Nothing onboard bar the starter motor draws more than an amp or so, measruing only more than 200A seems limitied?
 
Conachair said:
People rave about these so they must be good. But what do you use it for? Nothing onboard bar the starter motor draws more than an amp or so, measruing only more than 200A seems limitied?
Click to expand...

I think you probably meant to say 10A.
If you get the correct meter it will measure quite low DC currents 0.1A is still quite accurate on mine.
 
noelex said:
I think you probably meant to say 10A.
If you get the correct meter it will measure quite low DC currents 0.1A is still quite accurate on mine.
Click to expand...

Ah, now that sounds much more useful - want one now :)

I was looking at the spec of one of the links,,

"400 to 1000A Current Measuring Range,"
 
Its worth getting a clamp meter for a boat, with a 40A range (as well as 400A) and 4 digit display. That way the display will indicate to a hundredth of an amp (the last digit will have some error in it)

so a tenth of an amp shows as 00.10 A on this scale.
 
I bought a UNI-T 203 from a Chinaman on fleabay when I was suspicious about my alternator last year (circa £25) It is delivered in a handy little pouch and also measures volts, ohms etc .... so I was able to bring my Fluke home. After an initial panic that it didn't work (the sum of the ac current on a kettle mains lead = zero:-) I have found it to be an excellent addition to the boat toolkit. I recommend you spend some time getting an intuitive feel for the 'normal' charging characteristic of your boats electrical system before anything breaks as a benchmark.
 
My Tecpel DCM-033 arrived this morning (see post #4) and I'm very happy with it. It appears to be well made and comes with a nice carry case and clear instructions written in English.

I've just used it to check the input & output of my Sterling ABC and it gives a nice clear, accurate display of the results when compared to the boatbuilders Professional Mariner's one which cost twices as much.

So I'd recommend it.

bsw
 
bsw26 said:
My Tecpel DCM-033 arrived this morning (see post #4) and I'm very happy with it. It appears to be well made and comes with a nice carry case and clear instructions written in English.

I've just used it to check the input & output of my Sterling ABC and it gives a nice clear, accurate display of the results when compared to the boatbuilders Professional Mariner's one which cost twices as much.

So I'd recommend it.

bsw
Click to expand...

What is the minimum current (at 12v) that it copes with, and what is the sensitivity? Can't find it on the web.

Also, is there a maximum and minimum wire size that it will read?
 
Pye_End said:
What is the minimum current (at 12v) that it copes with, and what is the sensitivity? Can't find it on the web.

Also, is there a maximum and minimum wire size that it will read?
Click to expand...

From the manual:

DC Current.
40.00A Range : Resolution 0.01A. Accuracy +/- (2% +5)
400.0A Range : Resolution 0.1A. Accuracy +/- (2% +3)

Projected Max Current conductor size: 26mm dia. No min. stated.

Hope that helps.

bsw
 
Hello chaps, Thank you for all of this info I have been watching the replies to the OP with interest. I had thought that you had to pay hundreds of pounds on any sort of DC current clamp meter and a friendly chap at Maplins locally advised that it was more than that !! So im off to Fleebay tooo
Thanks, Colin.
 
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